Creating Sunshine

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Dee Komaromi (CPA and founder of Kids Money Academy) to talk about practical, doable ways to raise money-smart kids without making money a scary or taboo topic. Dee breaks down her age-based allowance approach, the Save/Spend/Give jar system, and the mindset shift that helps parents stop saying “no” and start teaching kids how to plan and save.

You’ll also hear Dee explain common accounts parents ask about (like 529 college savings plans, UTMA/UGMA brokerage accounts, and custodial Roth IRAs), plus when it makes sense to introduce investing as kids get older. If you want a simple system that builds financial confidence for your kids (and reduces arguments at home), this conversation is for you.

What you’ll learn

• A simple allowance rule of thumb (and why it should not be tied to chores)
• How the Save / Spend / Give jars build decision-making skills
• The best way to answer kids when they want something at the store
• When to add an investing jar and how to use investing as a learning “sandbox”
• The difference between 529 plans and UTMA/UGMA accounts (and what to consider for each)
• Why parents should prioritize retirement planning (and how it helps kids long-term)

Connect with Dee

• Kids Money Academy: http://kidsmoneyacademy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsmoneyacademy/
• Email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Mindset Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Shop my cups on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there's always a way to create a little sunshine. Until next time, keep shining bright!

Jordan Trapp (naturopathic doctor + founder of Unshakeable Wellness) shares the story that brought them from a traditional medicine path into naturopathic, root-cause care — and how a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) diagnosis reshaped priorities, mindset, and purpose.

In this conversation, Sarah and Jordan talk about navigating cancer survivorship, the hidden weight of “the good cancer” comments, support that actually helps, and practical starting points for hormone + gut health (plus a clear, grounded breakdown of peptides and GLP-1s).

Key takeaways:

• Naturopathic medicine is often a “both/and” approach: conventional care for acute needs + root-cause work for long-term healing.
• Survivorship comes with a unique mental load — scans, labs, and symptoms can trigger spirals even when treatment is working.
• Toxic positivity can be harmful; validation, consistency, and continued check-ins are often the most supportive.
• Perimenopause can begin around the mid-30s, and stabilizing cortisol + blood sugar can make symptoms more manageable.
• Gut health is foundational and connected to fatigue, mood, and autoimmune patterns.
• Simple hormone-support basics: eat within an hour of waking, prioritize protein first, and avoid coffee on an empty stomach (cortisol spike).
• Be cautious with supplement stacks and influencer advice — work with credentialed providers and personalized plans.
• Peptides are signaling molecules (short amino acid chains) that can support specific pathways; they’re tools, not magic fixes.
• GLP-1s can support weight loss/metabolic health, but without lifestyle changes, weight often returns after stopping.
• Jordan emphasizes sourcing peptides safely through legitimate compounding pharmacies and provider guidance.

Guest bio + links / CTAs

Dr. Jordan Trapp is a naturopathic physician and founder of Unshakeable Wellness in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she helps women optimize hormones, gut health, and metabolic wellness through personalized, root-cause care. A leukemia survivor herself, Jordan is passionate about resilient healing and community impact. She is currently a candidate for Visionary of the Year with Blood Cancer United, leading a fundraising campaign to support blood cancer patients and research.

Jordan offers free 15-minute consults to help determine fit, and also offers a peptide intake option.

• Instagram: Jordan.trappp.nmd
• Podcast: Unshakeable and Unfiltered
• Website: Unshakeable Wellness

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Mindset Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Shop my cups on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there's always a way to create a little sunshine. Until next time, keep shining bright!

Marketing expert Sarah Taylor shares what small business owners can’t learn from a prompt: real-world experience, customer psychology, and the power of human connection in an AI-heavy world. In this episode, we break down Sarah’s 3 Gaps Framework (mindset, visibility, strategy), the most common marketing mistakes, and simple ways to show up consistently without spending your whole life on social media.

Key takeaways

• Marketing and mindset are inseparable—how you think directly impacts how you show up.
• The 3 gaps to close for growth: mindset, visibility, and strategy (it’s never “just marketing”).
• Consistency matters more than “perfect posting”—the algorithm needs a clear pattern from you.
• Lead with the customer’s perspective (make them the hero), not your product/service details.
• Showing your face builds trust faster than any trend—especially in the AI era.
• Don’t confuse busy work with effective work: measure ROI (inquiries, calls, sales), not just views.
• Use scheduling tools (like Meta Business Suite) to batch content and protect your time.

Sarah Taylor is a marketing coach who helps small business owners turn their marketing into consistent customers. After almost 20 years as a brick and mortar owner, she knows the biggest thing standing between a small business and real growth is not just the marketing but the mindset and the strategy working together — and that's exactly what she teaches through her signature 3 Gaps Framework.

Connect with Sarah Taylor:

• 🌐 Website
• 📸 Instagram
• 👍 Facebook

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Mindset Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Shop my cups on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there's always a way to create a little sunshine. Until next time, keep shining bright!

After treatment ends, many survivors expect to feel “back to normal” — but the emotional whiplash can be the hardest part of the journey. In this episode, Sarah is joined by breast cancer survivor and Not Today Cancer founder Jen Delvaux to talk honestly about identity, fear of recurrence, and how to rebuild a life that feels strong and joyful again.

Together they discuss practical, science-backed lifestyle shifts (stress reduction, non-toxic living, movement, and food choices) and the mindset work that helps survivors step out of survival mode — without chasing perfection.

Key Takeaways:

• The post-treatment phase can feel disorienting: many people ring the bell and then wonder, “Who am I now?”
• Survivors often hold “both/and” emotions at the same time: gratitude and anger, relief and fear.
• Stress is a major “hidden toxin” — and breathwork + nervous system regulation are free, powerful tools.
• Non-toxic living doesn’t have to happen overnight: swap products as you run out to avoid overwhelm.
• Focus on what you can add in (fruits, veggies, fiber) instead of only what you have to remove.
• Movement doesn’t have to be extreme: consistent daily movement matters more than perfection.
• The “cancer bubble” is real — community is healing, but you also deserve a full life outside the diagnosis.
• Alcohol after cancer is personal: if guilt or worry follows, it may not be worth it in this season.
• Testing can help tailor supplements: prioritize quality (third-party tested) and avoid random online sourcing.
• Turning pain into purpose can be deeply healing — for the person sharing and the person receiving support.

Jen Delvaux is a breast cancer survivor, Certified Integrative Health Practitioner, author, and the founder of Not Today Cancer — a podcast and community built to empower women navigating life after a cancer diagnosis.

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jendelvaux/
• Website: http://jendelbo.com
• Podcast: Not Today Cancer
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Mindset Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Shop my cups on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there's always a way to create a little sunshine. Until next time, keep shining bright!

Have you ever caught yourself thinking "I'm not good enough," "I always mess this up," or "who am I to even want more" — and just... believed it? No questions asked?

Most of us are walking around on full autopilot, being run by thoughts we never even chose. Thoughts handed to us by a parent, a boss, an ex, a hard season we survived. And we've been accepting them as truth ever since.

In this solo episode, I'm taking you inside Day 1 of my 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge — the very first thing I walk every woman through when we start working together. Because you cannot change what you don't notice.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why your negative thoughts feel like truth (spoiler: they're not — they're just familiar)
• The science behind why your brain keeps running old, outdated programs
• The 3 most common thought patterns I see in the women I work with (and in myself)
• A simple technique called The Pause and the Question to interrupt negative thoughts in real time
• 3 journal prompts from Day 1 of the Mindset Reset to start building awareness today

The 3 thought patterns we break down:

1. Catastrophizing — when your brain jumps straight to the worst-case scenario (zero to a hundred in 0.2 seconds)
2. The Comparison Spiral — seeing her highlight reel and suddenly everything you have feels like nothing
3. The "I'm Not Ready Yet" Loop — the sneaky one that sounds like patience but is actually fear

Journal prompts from this episode:

1. What are three recurring negative thoughts I catch myself thinking?
2. Where do I believe these thoughts came from?
3. How do these thoughts affect my daily actions and emotions?

Ready to go deeper?The complete 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge is just $27 — that's less than one dinner out. Every single day you get an audio from me plus journal prompts. Day 2 we reframe setbacks. Day 3 is gratitude and abundance mindset. Day 4 we get into visualization. It builds. It stacks. It works.

👉 Get the full challenge

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter — 1:1 Mindset Coaching
• Follow me on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don't forget to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!

Lindsay Heiserman shares how combining exercise science, counseling training, and life coaching creates a more complete path to health—because you can’t separate mental wellbeing from physical wellbeing. Together we talk about simple, doable self-care (even on your busiest days), stress relief through movement, and how to rebuild body confidence after injury, illness, or major life changes.

Key takeaways

• You don’t need hours for self-care: start with one small action (a 10-minute walk, one vegetable, one glass of water).
• Consistency beats intensity—protecting a simple routine can be the difference between coping and spiraling.
• “Boundaries” often start as saying yes to yourself, not just saying no to other people.
• Movement can be one of the fastest ways to move stress through the body instead of letting it build.
• Body changes after 40 (or after illness/injury) can be a turning point: shift from “smaller” goals to “stronger/healthier” goals.
• Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up—it means choosing your next step from a grounded place.
• Trying new things (beginner energy) can be “good stress” that builds resilience and confidence.

Lindsey Heiserman is a coach with a background in exercise science and counseling who helps people build healthier habits through both movement and mindset.

Connect with Lindsey:

• 🌐 Website: www.lindseyheiserman.com
• 📸 Instagram: @lindseyheisermancoaching
• 📧 Email: [email protected]
• 💌 Newsletter ("Life Coach Letter"): Subscribe here

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Mindset Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Shop my cups on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there's always a way to create a little sunshine. Until next time, keep shining bright!

Erika Aviña of Prosperity Planning breaks down what a “wealth plan” actually is—beyond just budgeting—and how to build financial confidence even if you feel behind. We talk money mindset, common blind spots (subscriptions, variable spending, uninvested retirement accounts), and practical steps you can take this week to create more peace and options.

Key takeaways

• Most people were never taught money basics—so feeling unsure is common (and fixable).
• Start with awareness: know what comes in, what goes out, and where variable spending is sneaking in.
• A wealth plan includes budgeting + debt strategy + goals + retirement planning.
• Canceling subscriptions and renegotiating bills can free up real cash quickly.
• Minimum payments + high interest rates keep you stuck—breaking the cycle requires a plan and new habits.
• Retirement is a number, not an age—knowing your “number” creates flexibility.
• Teaching kids money skills early (spend/save/invest/give) helps break generational patterns.

Connect with ErikaErika Aviña is the founder of Prosperity Planning and creator of the Prosperity Wealth Method™. She helps busy moms and women entrepreneurs eliminate debt, optimize cash flow, and build long-term wealth with clarity and confidence—without shame or finance jargon.

• Instagram: prosperity.planning
• Email: [email protected]
• Free 7-Day Financial Reset: mybudgetbestie.kit.com/free-budget-template
• Website / Prosperity List: mybudgetbestie.kit.com/the-prosperity-list

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend and tag us so we can thank you—then take 10 minutes today to look at your subscriptions and last week’s spending.

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Mindset Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Shop my cups on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there's always a way to create a little sunshine. Until next time, keep shining bright!

Are you on a personal growth journey but feeling like the people closest to you just don't get it? In this solo episode, Sarah gets real about one of the most misunderstood parts of doing the inner work — finding the right support system — and why you can't expect the people already in your life to automatically show up the way you need.

Sarah shares her own journey of trying to do it alone for years before finally investing in herself — and how that investment changed everything. She opens up about her stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis, how it completely shifted her perspective on self-care and emotional regulation, and why she now considers getting proper support a matter of life and death.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why the people in your life may not be equipped to be your support system (and why that's not their fault or yours)
• The truth about free resources vs. investing in yourself — and why skin in the game matters
• How emotional dysregulation affects physical health, and what science often misses
• What happened at the Creating Sunshine Activation Party and why practices like journaling, art, and sound baths are more powerful than you think
• How Sarah is raising her daughters with the mindset tools she didn't learn until her 40s
• Why Sarah's coaching is custom-tailored to every client — not a one-size-fits-all program
• Her signature reminder: stop saying next week, next month, next year — now is the time

If this episode hit home, here's what to do next:

• DM Sarah or book a free 30-minute call to explore what support could look like for you
• Share this episode to your stories and tag Sarah — you never know who in your circle needs to hear this
• Start small: identify one area of your life where you've been waiting to ask for help

Keywords: personal growth, mindset coaching, support system, emotional regulation, nervous system regulation, investing in yourself, women's empowerment, breast cancer survivor, accountability coaching, self-care, creating sunshine podcast, life coaching for women, stop surviving start thriving

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Mindset Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there's so much more sunshine to create together!

What happens when you spend years doing the mindset and health work — and then life really tests you? Tracy Kasper knows firsthand.

In her early thirties, Tracy's daily diet consisted almost entirely of grilled cheese, quesadillas, and pizza. Then came an autoimmune diagnosis that she ignored for two years out of sheer stubbornness. When she finally committed to a 30-day elimination program in January 2022, everything changed.

But Tracy's story doesn't stop there. In December 2024 — at her peak athletic fitness — she discovered a benign three-inch tumor inside her shin bone, required major surgery, and was told she wouldn't walk, drive, or function independently for 4–5 months. Two months later, she was walking. And somewhere in between? She went on a solo trip to Buenos Aires and Antarctica on crutches, because the trip she had planned to celebrate her 40th birthday wasn't going to wait.

Tracy credits five years of intentional personal development work for the mindset that carried her through. That same calling to help others is what led her to launch One Small Step Walks — a judgment-free, inclusive monthly walking community on the beaches of Orange County, California.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How an autoimmune diagnosis finally forced Tracy to change — two years after she first received it
• The 30-day elimination program that revealed gluten and dairy weren't serving her body
• Why Tracy went to Antarctica on crutches (and why she'd do it again)
• The mind-body-soul framework her trainer Wendy uses — and why working on just one isn't enough
• What "preparing for impact" means and why you should start before a crisis
• The story behind One Small Step Walks and why inclusivity is at the heart of it
• Tracy's baby-steps approach to building lasting habits without burning out
• Why "ready" is not a feeling — and how to start anyway

Key Takeaway: Consistency doesn't mean perfection. It just means you don't stop.

Connect with Tracy:

• Instagram: @onesmallstepwalks
• One Small Step Walks: first Saturday of every month, 9–10:30am, Orange County beaches
• Interested in bringing One Small Step Walks to your city? Reach out to Tracy on Instagram.

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine! Your support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful you're part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don't forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode — there's so much more sunshine to create together!

Let's stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there's always a way to create a little sunshine. Until next time, keep shining bright!

What if sharing your story was the most generous thing you could do for someone else? In this episode, I sit down with Alex Catedral — documentary filmmaker, founder of Catedral Collective, and the first male guest in nearly 100 episodes of the Creating Sunshine Podcast — for a conversation that genuinely stopped me in my tracks.

Alex has spent his career helping founders capture and share their stories through documentary-style video, and his philosophy on why we tell stories will completely shift the way you think about visibility, vulnerability, and what it means to show up authentically in your business.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why story is an act of generosity — and how that reframes everything about showing up online
• The orientation, disorientation, and reorientation framework: how to know when it's the right time to share a vulnerable story publicly
• Why your story is the only true differentiator in a crowded market (and how to find it, even if you think yours isn't special)
• The difference between documenting your story and sharing it — and why that distinction matters
• How authentic storytelling impacts every area of life, not just business
• What "return on intangibles" means and why the real ROI of sharing your story goes far beyond revenue
• Alex's powerful personal story: filming his parents' love story and uncovering his grandfather's erased legacy in the Philippines
• Why documentary-style content will only become more valuable as AI takes over

Whether you're a founder, a creator, or someone who has ever thought "my story isn't that important" — this episode is for you.

Connect with Alex:

• Instagram: @catedral_collective
• Website: catedralcollective.com

Thank you for listening to Creating Sunshine!  Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of this community.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love it if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.  Your reviews help other listeners discover Creating Sunshine and find the encouragement they need on their own journeys.

Don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss an episode- there’s so much more sunshine to create together!

Let’s stay connected:

• Your Next Chapter (1:1 Coaching)
• Follow me on Instagram
• Join my email list
• Join the 7-Day Mindset Reset Challenge
• Get your free Sunshine Moments download

Remember, even in the darkest moments, there’s always a way to create a little sunshine.  Until next time, keep shining bright!